NOTE: In May 2007, Caroline Lyders, the co-anchor of the weekday edition of WISN "12 News This Morning," was romantically linked to singer Taylor Hicks, who became an international star after his victory on "American Idol" last year. Read the story.

A lot of local TV news teams boast of their veteran on-air talent, but lately WISN (Channel 12) has been demolishing local ratings with a squad of fresh young faces.

One of them, Caroline Lyders, has anchored the morning news alongside Patrick Paolantonio for two years now and has proved to be a successful part of WISN's youth movement.

Starting out studying music and philosophy, Lyders decided to instead follow a passion for journalism and got her master's in journalism at Columbia University. She has since interned at NPR and worked at CNN and in TV news in Columbus, Ohio.

She arrived in Milwaukee two years ago and we caught up with her recently to find out what she thinks of Brew City.

OMC: You moved around a lot as a kid, didn't you? Tell us a bit about your background?

CL: My dad started as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch, then moved into management. That brought us from Minnesota to New Jersey, Florida, Iowa, Michigan and, finally, Arizona. I'm not sure how, but my parents somehow managed to keep us grounded through all of it.

OMC: Is there a place that feels most like "home"?

CL: It's really hard to say. We lived in Iowa the longest, but moved away when I graduated high school, so it doesn't feel like home. I guess Tucson feels like home, because my parents are there and I go visit any chance I get. I love it there, it's very relaxing, and I love hanging out with my parents!!!

OMC: You didn't always know you wanted to work in news did you? You studied music first, right?

CL: I did! I had my very first piano lesson when I was 5 years old, and still remember my first little piano book. I played competitively through high school and very briefly considered going to a conservatory for college. In retrospect, I'm glad I didn't. Instead, I went to Smith College in Massachusetts, where I studied music, and actually had time to be young and have fun.

OMC: You've had some interesting musical experiences, too, haven't you? Word is you are friends with Wynton Marsalis.

CL: Interesting is a good word. When I was in New York studying journalism, my master's project in jazz education took me to clubs from the East Village up to Harlem. Somewhere in between, I met Wynton. He proved to be as musically compelling in person as he is in interviews and on stage. That reminds me, he also loaned me a book -- Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" -- which I really need to return...

OMC: Did you read it?

CL: Yes, I read the book. I loved it.

OMC: Do you ever think of going back and following music as your main path?

CL: Mmm, no. But I still love playing. And sometimes I think about trying to play competitively again. But only sometimes.

 Page 1 of 2 (view all on one page)

Next >>

4 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by cougarxr21 on Feb. 25, 2007 at 6:57 p.m. (report)

I love watching the morning news w/Caroline, Patrick, and crew. They make watching the new fun. Caroline is so funny and nice!

Posted by steveg on Dec. 5, 2006 at 1:14 p.m. (report)

The talent and quality of Caroline's work are among the reasons why Channel 12 is doing better than other stations. If other stations recognized the value of having such talented people, maybe they would keep good people. Caroline is great ... a trusted and skillful journalist.

Posted by jakeyd on Nov. 21, 2006 at 7:32 p.m. (report)

She's very cute and likeable, and really, that's what's most important about who's delivering the "news".

Posted by hwood on Nov. 21, 2006 at 7:40 a.m. (report)

She is a real talent! A pro if there ever was one. great interview from a great person. Thanks on milwaukee!!!!